CHARTER MESS: School’s Future Uncertain

The Des Moines School Board will discuss the future of the Des Moines Charter School Tuesday night. Nina Rassmussen, the former Director of the Charter School resigned earlier this year, following criticism of her management style.

The district’s spokesperson, Phil Roeder says three finalists who interviewed for the Director’s position in June, turned down the position, despite an increase in the salary for the position from $70,000 to $90,000.

The beginning of the school year has already been postponed until August 1. Tuesday night the Board will consider cancelling classes for the remainder of the year.

Staci Hupp, a spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Education says a such a delay would constitute a major change of the charter and would require approval of the State Board of Education, which also has the authority to revoke the charter.